CELEBRATING THOSE WHO IGNITE ARTS AND CULTURE

7TH ANNUAL

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | 7:00PM

WWW.ASIWNY.ORG | 716.833.3004

PRESENTED BY

Welcome to the Spark Awards THE 2020 VIRTUAL EDITION!

2020 WAS A YEAR….

We welcome you to our virtual edition of the Spark Awards – a new space and place for ALLOF US! However, that will never stop ASI from recognizing and appreciating those in our artscommunity who make Western New York a great place to live.2020 has been the year that, YET AGAIN, affirmed to me that the arts transform our lives andcommunities. The Spark Awards is that time of year when we celebrate the work andachievements of so many. 2019 proved to be a powerful year for arts and culture - fromneighborhoods using the arts to make this a great place to live, to arts transcendingeducational boundaries, to transformative arts experiences and tourism destinations – aSpark of Creativity is all that it takes to light the way.Think of how much creativity, support and artistic impact WNY has had since last year…OUTSTANDING! It never ceases to amaze me, even through our many struggles with thepandemic and social unrest. THE ARTS PREVAIL and always will!YOU are the reason we are together, even if it’s from the privacy of our own homes. YOUignite arts and culture in Western New York. Thank you for everything you have given to ourvibrant arts sector. ASI commends your hard work – without you and all of our artssupporters, Arts Services would not exist – so tonight (and ALL YEAR ROUND) is your night –THANK YOU!

The Spark Awards – providing a much needed light through the darkness.

Jen Swan-KilpatrickExecutive Director, Arts Services Inc.

Good evening and welcome to the7th Annual Spark Awards!

On behalf of our Board of Directors, Staff, and all who support Arts Services Inc., our heartfeltappreciation. We couldn’t do it without the dedication and commitment of benefactors,sponsors, and each and every one of you. As you well know, we are faced with a time ofintense physical separation. As a collective, however, we are a most creative and resilientforce. That said, look at all the wonderful ways Art/Culture has thrived, in the age of virtualreality. Our nominees and winners are prime examples of the brilliance of the industry. Bravoto you and all who keep the spirit of entertainment alive and well. Showcasing our richdistinctive heritage, and furthering our diversity, equity, and inclusive intent. All whiletransporting our hearts and minds to places that inspire us, to fulfill our dreams. Be well andkeep the faith!!

Broderick CasonChairman, Spark Awards

1

Where the arts meet business!

Arts Services Inc. (ASI) provides professional development,grants, resources, and advocacy to cultural organizations andartists in Western New York, while also providing publicprogramming to increase access to the arts for everyone.

www.asiwny.org

About ASI

Jennifer Swan-KilpatrickExecutive Director

Our Team

Mark BanaszakFiscal Associate

Holly GrantGrants & Programming

Director

Jess TrainorArts Access Program

Coordinator

Kaitlyn AnsonIntern

Tessa PszonakIntern

Board of Directors

Officers

Mr. Broderick Cason, PresidentMr. Michael Jackson, SecretaryMs. Michelle Watorek, Treasurer

Mr. Carlos R.A. JonesMs. Brandye MerriweatherMr. Daniel T. MontanteMr. Jordan StevesMs. Katherine TrapanovskiMs. Heather WarnesMr. David WedekindtMr. Earl WellsMs. Meenakshy Sivaguru (UB Nonprofit Fellow)

Directors

Ms. Michelle BraswellMr. Robert D'AlimonteMs. Erin EwellMs. Anne Janczak 3

Thank you to our Spark Awards Sponsors!

7TH ANNUAL

Presenting Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsors:

Patron Sponsors:

7TH ANNUAL

Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC)

Chautauqua Institution

e3communications

Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA)

Montante Group

MusicalFare Theatre

Onion Studio

Tri-Main Development

Univera Healthcare

Everyone who donated their pre-purchased tickets.

Friends of ASI Sponsor:

7TH ANNUAL

2020 Spark Awards Honorees

Arts IntegrationThe Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum

Disorder Center at Oishei Children’s Hospital

DEC Program of the YearLewiston Council on the Arts’

Iroquois Market

Lifetime AchievementVincent O’Neill,

Irish Classical Theatre Co.

Rising StarWest Falls Center for the Arts

Supporter of the Cultural SectorJoel Feroleto,

Buffalo Common Council, Delaware District

Trailblazer of the ArtsMichele Agosto, Buffalo Public Schools

Unsung HeroBeth Pedersen,

Buffalo Society of Artists

Artist of the Year FinalistsJoAnn Falletta

Chris J. HandleyEdreys Wajed

Organization of the Year Finalists1891 Fredonia Opera House

O'Connell & CompanyUnique Theatre Company

7

ASI's Arts Access programremoves financial barriers that

may prevent someone fromaccessing arts experiences. This

free pass provides complimentaryor reduced-cost admission and

free transportation to arts eventsand activities throughout Erie and

Niagara counties. The pass isavailable to anyone receiving

income-based benefits, such asSNAP, HEAP, WIC, Medicaid, TANF,

and more.

Learn more: arts-access.org.

CONGRATULATIONSto our 2020 Spark Honorees!

9

The Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum DisorderCenter at Oishei Children’s Hospital provides multidisciplinaryevaluation, diagnosis, care and support for families with autismspectrum disorders. In addition to the medical work done bythe Center, the resources and programs for families withautism, sensory challenges or developmental disabilities are anintegral part of its plan to support the community.

By collaborating with entities such as the Buffalo PhilharmonicOrchestra, Theatre of Youth; Explore & More Children’sMuseum; the Aquarium of Niagara; Community Music School;Squeaky Wheel and Rock Autism; the Center has been able todevelop sensory friendly; inclusive and affordable programs forour families to experience culture and create art in acomfortable and supportive environment. Some of the programs include Au-Some Evenings at Explore &More Children’s, Au-Some Aquarium in Niagara Falls; BPO KidsExceptional Kids; and Sensory Friendly Performances at Theatreof Youth. At all of the events, tickets are free or deeplydiscounted to encourage our families to try new things.Recently, the Center has been focused on developingprogramming specifically for teens on the spectrum in the areasof music, film, acting and animation which give them new waysto express themselves and build confidence.

The Children’s Guild FoundationAutism Spectrum Disorder Center

at Oishei Children’s HospitalArts Integration

10

The Lewiston Council on the Arts is dedicated to improving thequality of life for everyone by nurturing a thriving environmentfor arts and cultural activities, promoting opportunities forartists, encouraging public participation in the arts, and activelyadvocating for the arts.

In 2019, it received an ASI DEC grant to produce an IroquoisMarket, which was held in conjunction with the 54th annualLewiston Art Festival. The Hennepin Park Gazebo area wastransformed into the Iroquois Market, where the rich history,customs, and culture of Native American traditions werehighlighted and celebrated. Lewiston Council on the Artspartnered with the Tuscarora Nation to recruit Native artisansand performers from both sides of the Canadian/U.S. border,including drummers, musicians, and dancers. Free, hands-onactivities were also offered at the market.

They are dedicating this award in memory of FrancenePatterson.

Lewiston Council the Arts'Iroquois Market

DEC Program of the Year

11

Vincent O'NeillLifetime Achievement

Co-Founder and former Artistic Director of ICTC starting in1990, Vincent has acted and directed internationally, and also innearly all of WNY’s theatres. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he studiedat University College Dublin and at Trinity College. He studiedActing at the prestigious Abbey Theatre School in Dublin andMime under the great French mime-artist, Marcel Marceau, athis International Academy in Paris. 

As a member of the Abbey Theatre Company, he toured to theEdinburgh Festival, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Moscow and St.Petersburg.  Films include:  Manna from Heaven; Tesseract;Queen City; Gamechangers; Laff in the Dark; and The AmericanSide. His one-man show based on the life and works of JamesJoyce, Joyicity, debuted as part of Dublin’s International TheatreFestival, and was then presented in Australia, Japan, off-Broadway, and throughout the USA. 

He has won ARTIE Awards in the categories of OutstandingActor; Outstanding Director, Outstanding Production,Outstanding Artistic Playwright, and Career Achievement.Vincent is also former Chair and currently Director of TheatrePerformance in the Department of Theatre and Dance at theState University of New York at Buffalo.

12

The West Falls Center for the Arts is a non-profit 501(c)(3)organization providing visual, performing, music, culinary andhealing arts programming to a diverse rural population.

Our ongoing programs include an Americana Acoustic Serieswith local youth performers opening for national talent, a freeblues mentoring series for young musicians, Southtownsyouth rock band led by Doug Yeomans, the prestigiousSouthtowns Youth Jazz Orchestra led by Mark Filsinger, andthe new Buffalo Jazz Orchestra, with young musiciansperforming alongside accomplished professionals.

We provide free community holiday meals, music clinics andmasterclasses, culinary, art and music programming tobenefit veterans and their families. We have received two DECgrants from Arts Services Inc. for a community mural projectand for a harmonica class for veterans. Next year we will beadding ukulele and guitar to the veteran’s program. Through a grant from both the Garman Foundation and theWilson Foundation, we opened a “Memory Cafe”, using musicto provide socialization opportunities for caregivers and theirloved ones with dementia and Alzheimers.

The West Falls Center for the ArtsRising Star

13

Buffalo native Joel Feroleto, a Canisius College and University atBuffalo Law graduate, is an attorney at Feroleto Law and serveson the Buffalo Common Council representing the DelawareDistrict. He also volunteers as a Board member for the BairsFoundation and Save the Michaels Organization.

Since being elected to the Council in 2015, CouncilmemberFeroleto has worked diligently alongside communityorganizations and artists to champion public art around Buffalo.He began the “Hertel Walls” project in collaboration with theAlbright Knox and several local and international artists in aneffort to enhance Hertel Ave. In 2019 he co-founded the HertelAlley Art Fest and with help from the 15 participating artists,transforming the alley into a conglomeration of color andexpression.

In recognition of Councilmember Feroleto’s continuous efforts tobetter our community, he received the 2015 Sarah G. MetzgerAward for his contributions to further human rights. In 2019,Councilmember Feroleto received the Amherst Chamber ofCommerce Community Revitalization Award for co-founding theHertel Walls public art project. The Feroleto family also receivedthe Good Government Club Achievement Award in 2019, whichrecognizes the contributions of Italian-Americans in publicservice.

Joel FeroletoBuffalo Common Councilmember

Supporter of the Cultural Sector

14

Michele Agosto is the Director of Arts for the Buffalo City SchoolDistrict. She has served the children of Buffalo since 1994, with 10of those years as a middle school art teacher in the Black Rockarea.

Born to Puerto Rican parents and raised in Washington Heights,Michele enjoyed a very happy, vibrant, and diverse upbringing. Itwas her family who fortified the notion that success was possible inthe arts. Michele is an alumnus of Fiorello H. LaGuardia HighSchool for Music and the Arts in NYC. She received a Bachelor ofFine Arts in Photography, at School of Visual Art, a Master ofScience in Teaching /Art Education at Rochester Institute ofTechnology, and a Master in Educational Administration with anadvanced certification at University at Buffalo.

Michele serves on several boards. She is Vice President of theHispanic Heritage Council of WNY and is a member of Frank LloydWright’s Darwin Martin House and Neglia Ballet Conservatory. She’salso a member of BPO Diversity Council, Roswell Park Art AdvisoryCommittee, Theater of Youth Education Committee and BuffaloArts Studio Education Committee. She’s a Buffalo Society of Artistsexhibiting member, co-founder of Los Artistas del Barrio, and co-hosted the bilingual/bicultural radio show, Sin Fronteras WNY.

Michele has exhibited her art throughout the Buffalo/Niagararegion and has received several recognitions. Currently is showingat Castellani Art Museum’s 20/20 Vision: Women Artists in WesternNY. She presents nationally on arts education/social justice topicsand is a selected member of the NYS Departmentof Education’s Blue Ribbon Commission for the Arts.

Michele is a devoted mother to her two boys and thanks herhusband for his continued belief in her.

Michele AgostoTrailblazer of the Arts

15

In her decades-spanning practice, Beth Pedersen has explorednature and environmental issues of the day through manymaterials and mediums. These themes have been present sincethe early 1980’s in oil paintings and various print-making processescreated both abstractly and representationally.

New York City’s art world and the ripple effect at SUNY New PaltzCollege had a powerful influence on the once realist painter turned“ab-ex” painter having studied with Ilya Bolotowsky and GeorgeWardlaw.

During the 1970’s watercolor, pastel and pencil drawings were themedia of choice while raising a family. Those years were spentexamining the present landscape with memories of the HudsonRiver valley just north of NYC and of the farmlands in central NewJersey. The conflict of those bucolic memories verses theenvironmental issues we face today gives purpose to this artist. Life experiences were enhanced during moves from NYC toOklahoma and upstate New York in the Schenectady/Albany area. A final move to Western N.Y. provided the opportunity to acquirean MFA at the University at Buffalo where abstract prints andpaintings examining man’s earthly relationships continued toexpand. Beth has exhibited extensively regionally andinternationally.

In the 2000’s, Beth continues to flip back and forth betweenrepresentation and abstraction and is currently printing encausticmonotypes as well as three-dimensional encaustic sculptures onrecycled materials in her Clarence studio. She continues to be acommunity arts advocate working on films preserving the voices ofother visual artists and mentoring high school students pursuingthe field of visual arts.

Beth PedersenUnsung Hero

16

JoAnn Falletta is internationally celebrated as a vibrantambassador for music, an inspiring artistic leader, and achampion of American symphonic music. Upon her appointmentas Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, Falletta became thefirst woman to lead a major American ensemble. She has sincebeen credited with bringing the Philharmonic to a new level ofnational and international prominence. The orchestra hasbecome one of the leading recording orchestras for Naxos andreturned twice to Carnegie Hall in 2004 and again in 2013.

In 2018, the BPO made their first international tour in threedecades, to perform at Warsaw’s prestigious Beethoven EasterFestival where Falletta made history as the first American womanto conduct an orchestra at the Festival. She and the BPO havebeen honored with numerous ASCAP awards, including the topaward for Adventurous Programming. Other accomplishmentsinclude the establishment of the orchestra’s Beau Fleuve label,the founding of the JoAnn Falletta International Guitar ConcertoCompetition in partnership with WNED, and the national andinternational broadcast of concerts on NPR’s Performance Today,SymphonyCast, and the European Broadcasting Union.

With a discography of 112 titles, JoAnn is a leading recording artistfor Naxos. Her discs have won three GRAMMY® Awards andreceived eleven nominations. Ms. Falletta is the artistic advisor tothe Hawaii Symphony and has held the positions of principalconductor of the Ulster Orchestra, principal guest conductor ofthe Phoenix Symphony, music director of the Long BeachSymphony Orchestra, associate conductor of the MilwaukeeSymphony Orchestra, and music director of the Denver ChamberOrchestra.

JoAnn FallettaArtist of the Year Finalist

Photo by Heather_Bellini

17

Chris J. Handley is Executive Director of Buffalo's AlleywayTheatre, where he founded the Theatre School of WNY. Hehas worked in theater for over 20 years in Buffalo, New YorkCity, and across the country as an actor, teacher, director, andproducer. He is Vice President of the Theatre DistrictAssociation, sits on the Actors' Equity Liaison Committee, is a2019 Cullen Foundation Fellow, and is on faculty at SUNYFredonia.

As an actor, his work locally has been wide ranging on manyarea stages including Alleyway, MusicalFare, Shakespeare inDelaware Park, 710 Main, Jewish Repertory Theatre, and theLancaster Opera House. Just this season, he played roles asvaried as Buddy (Elf the Musical), Bruce (Fun Home), Trinculo(The Tempest), and Matt (Talley's Folly). He recently staged theworld premiere musical The King's Legacy at Bristol ValleyTheatre, and spent over two years as a Mississippi Riverboatentertainer.

As an independent teaching artist, he has developed variousworkshops on the craft, taught privately, and spent threeyears teaching BFA and BA theatre students Acting and Voice& Speech. Mr. Handley holds an MFA in Acting from IndianaUniversity, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from SUNY Fredonia.

Chris J. HandleyArtist of the Year Finalist

18

Edreys WajedArtist of the Year Finalist

Edreys Wajed is an enthusiastic and inspiring walkingenterprise of all things creative. The Buffalo native boasts along resume of creative talents and achievements fromvisual art, to jewelry designer and entrepreneur. Fromhaving run his own stationery boutique and art galleryshared with his equally talented wife, Alexa; touring as hiphop artist, to being a second generation jewelry designer,his diversity is exceptional.

Edreys is recognized for his contribution as one of 4 artistsfor The Freedom Wall mural, commissioned by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 2017. Creatively evolving, his latest worksmade an incredible impression and impact in May/July2019, in a sold-out solo show and exhibit at Argus Gallery,Bflo., NY. His paintings are now also respectively in both theBurchfield-Penney Arts Center and The Roswell Park ArtHeals Gallery permanent art collections.

Photo by David Kafer

19

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House has been enhancing thecultural landscape of Chautauqua County since its grandreopening in November 1994; and in 2019 – its 25th year – itcelebrated its growth from a performance space for localarts groups to a full-fledged venue presenting national andinternational artists with a new name and logo: 1891Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center.

The name change reflects the breadth and variety of itscurrent programming while paying tribute to its history.Programs that include: live music, theatre and dance; anindependent Cinema Series; live high definition satellitebroadcasts of opera productions from NYC’s MetropolitanOpera, theatre from London’s National Theatre, and balletfrom Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet; an annual three-day Bach &Beyond Baroque Music Festival; and the Art & ArchitectureOn Screen series of programs focusing on masterpieces andtheir museum custodians; among others. All total, the venuehas presented more than 2,890 programs since itsreopening 25 years ago!

Chautauqua County is fortunate to have what many considera thriving arts community. Against a broad culturalbackground, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House PerformingArts Center has created a niche for itself as ayear-round presenter of varied and quality entertainment!

1891 Fredonia Opera HouseArts Organization of the Year Finalist

Photo by Gregory C. Ford

20

Now celebrating its 25th season, O’Connell & Company hasenriched thousands of Western New York lives by producing avariety of musicals, plays, popular classics, regional premieres,and original works with a special focus on gender parity in thearts.

Founded in 1995 by award-winning actress Mary KateO’Connell, past performances have included: an all-femaleproduction of “1776 The Musical”, a regional premiere of “TheNew Mel Brooks Musical: Young Frankenstein”, “Little Shop ofHorrors”, “Baby”, “Nunsense”, “I Do! I Do!”, “Six Dance Lessons InSix Weeks”, “Musical of Musicals-The Musical”, “Buffalo ZINGS,Hot, Tedium & Wild!”, and O’Connell & Company original, “DIVAby DIVA: A Celebration of Women!”, WNY’s longest-runningproduction currently in its 20th Season. The Theatre School at O’Connell & Company will formallylaunch in the Spring of 2020 and will produce year-roundworkshops, camps, classes and more for youth, adults, andseniors of all levels and experience. O’Connell & CompanyProductions is a non-profit professional performing artsorganization dedicated to entertaining through education,empowerment, and by creating an inclusive community ofprofessional and rising artists. The company is newly located inThe Ken-Ton Elmwood Commons at 3200 Elmwood Avenue,Tonawanda, NY.

O'Connell & CompanyArts Organization of the Year Finalist

21

Unique Theatre Company offers a safe place for people ofall ability to have a true theatre experience. They offer theentire spectrum of the theatre from assisting with scriptwriting and storytelling all the way to the end of the show.Costume design and set design are taught andexperienced to all who would like to try. They have foundthat many people dream of acting or writing or simplybeing behind or on stage but are afraid to try. This is mostparticular for people with disability.

All of Unique Theatre Company’s plays are original worksand most written by people with disability. The theatreprovides the writers a chance to see their stories beingplayed on stage. Late in 2019, they began a chorus groupwith the same mission in mind: offering those who wouldlike to sing a chance to experience being in a chorus.Uniquely Arranged held their first chorus on stage inDecember singing Holiday songs. It was a huge successand they were invited to sing at the GiGi's Playhouse grandopening in March of 2020.

Unique Theatre CompanyArts Organization of the Year Finalist

22

7TH ANNUAL

Past Spark Award Honorees

Advocate for the Cultural SectorWNED/WBFO (2017)Destination Niagara USA (formerly Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation)(2016)Paul Hogan (2015) Lynn Marinelli (2014)

Arts IntegrationSam Savarino (2019)Learning Disabilities Association of WNY (2018)Roswell Park Cancer Institute (2017)Elgin Wolfe & Tri-Main Development (2016)Dr. Timothy Murphy & the University at Buffalo Clinical & Translational ResearchCenter (2015)

Cultural AmbassadorTom Toles, The Washington Post (2016)Tom Calderone, President VH1 (2015)

DEC Program of the Year (Selected by ASI)Annette Daniels Taylor for "Heritage Walk: Buffalo's Underground Railroad"(2019)Lockport Public Arts Council: Sweet Chalk Festival (2018) University District Community Development Association in collaboration withNicholas Conrad Miller for “Bailey Fights Blight” Mural Program (2017)710 Main Theatre and Buffalo Laboratory Theatre for “The Mystery of the SilverChalice” (2016)Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Fine Arts Program (2015) Karen Sirgey w/ Niagara Wheatfield High School (2014)

Legacy AwardRobert G. Wilmers (2018) M. Jacquie Lodico (2017)Burton Notarius (2014)

Lifetime AchievementCraig Centrie (2019)Thomas Burrows, UB Center for the Arts (2018)Anthony C. Conte, Shea’s Performing Arts Center (2017) Saul Elkin (2016)Jonathan Rogers (2015) Molly Bethel, Locust Street Art (2014)

Rising StarAimee Levesque (2019)Buffalo String Works (2018) Jon Lehrer (2017)University Heights Arts Association (2016)Danceability (2015) Infinity Visual & Performing Arts Center (2014) 25

Supporter of the Cultural SectorJohn McKendry (2019)John & Carolyn Yurtchuk (2018)M&T Bank (2017)Buffalo Spree Magazine (2016)Rigidized Metals (Silo City) (2015) Fund for the Arts (2014)

Trailblazer of the ArtsRob Lynch (2019)Michael J. Beam (2018)

Unsung HeroClyde Terry (2019)Friends of the Japanese Gardens (2018) Rita Argen Auerbach (2017)Sue Fay Allen & Carl Klingenschmitt, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (2016)Gerald Mead (2015) Dick & Carmen Gilman, 1891 Fredonia Opera House (2014)

7TH ANNUAL

Past Spark Award Honorees Continued

Artist of the YearWinnersMuhammad Zaman (2019)Fotini Galanes (2018)Drea d’Nur (2017)Adam Zyglis (2016)David Michael Miller (2015)Shasti O’Leary Soudant (2014)

FinalistsJulia Bottoms (2019)Caitlin Cass (2019)Gary Earl Ross (2018)Keith Harrington (2018)David Moog (2017)Gary Sczerbaniewicz (2017)Zuri Elise Appleby (2016)Chuck Tingley (2016)Sarah Fonzi (2015)Ntare Ali Gault (2015)Mikel Wintermantel (2014)MarCe Zerrate (2014)

Arts Organization of theYearWinnersBuffalo Sugar City (2019)Buffalo Arts Studio (2018) Kenan Center (2017)Just Buffalo Literary Center (2016)Niagara Arts & Cultural Center(2015) Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra(2014)

FinalistsNational Comedy Center (2019)Road Less Traveled Productions(2019)Niagara Falls National HeritageArea (2018) Resource: Art (2018) 1891 Fredonia Opera House(2017)Springville Center for the Arts(2017)Buffalo Choral Arts Society (2016)Theodore Roosevelt InauguralNational Historic Site (2016)Albright-Knox Art Gallery (2015)Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Center forComedy (2015) Squeaky Wheel Film & Media ArtsCenter (2014) Torn Space Theater (2014)

7TH ANNUAL

Past Spark Award Honorees Continued

27